Conservation – at a great bargain

This is the case with CI’s pioneering conservation agreement with the government of Guyana.

Here’s how it works:

Before a logging company could lease 200,000 acres of intact Amazonian from the Guyanese government, CI stepped in to protect the land, and leased it for conservation.

This unique conservation agreement comes at a great bargain, less than $100,000 a year. It’s an incredible value given the importance of the forest for both plant and animal species as well as people.

Located deep within the Amazon wilderness, CI’s 200,000 acres of forest is part of the watershed of the Essequibo, Guyana’s largest river. The river supports a wide variety of animals, including 500 species of birds, as many as are found in all of North America. Indigenous groups rely on the river for food, fresh water, and more.

Tour the Essequibo and learn more about CI’s work in Guyana by watching our video:

Through this groundbreaking conservation agreement, Guyana’s government and CI are protecting and sustaining a healthy population of plant and animal species found nowhere else on earth.

CI is replicating this model in dozens of countries, including China, Cambodia, and Ecuador. These projects cover more than two million acres and represent hope for the future – for both conservationists and developing nations struggling to provide for their people.